Page 44 of The Dreaming Beauty
Did he really think he knew her after a few painting sessions? Marcus knew her better and was positive he shared more of a connection with her than the one his brother claimed for himself. Had Marcus only imagined it? The only way to know was to see her again and find out for himself. But did he have the patience to wait two weeks?
Chapter 19
Tansy lay in bed, stillunsettled by her conversation with Aster. Half of her was angry her questions were evaded yet again, and the other was nearly mad with curiosity. What was the danger Aster spoke of? How could knowledge hurt her? The soft snores of Daisy did not help her current mindset. Tansy ripped off her covers and took the time to find her robe. If she was going to take a walk in the dark, she wasn’t going to dress completely, but she had at least learned to cover her nightdress.
With no one the wiser, she made it out of her room and to the front door. She opened it and slipped outside, careful to shut the door without a sound. When she turned around, she got the surprise of a lifetime.
“Marcus!”
He had a crate in his hands, but he set it down at his feet in a fluid motion. His hands were on either side of her upper arms in the next moment. “You aren’t sleepwalking, are you?”
He must’ve concluded she would say his given name only if she were asleep. But how could she answer him with her mind suddenly numb and with him cradling her arms under the gleaming stars? “I... I... don’t think so.”
He stared at her and brought one hand to her face, brushing back her long blonde hair and tucking it behind her ear. “Your eyes seem clear enough.” His words were spoken almost as slow as hers. His hand rested behind her neck as he surveyed her carefully, and she was in no hurry for him to finish. “I cannot be certain in the moonlight,” he whispered. He dipped his head closer. His gaze traveled to her mouth, and she held her breath. Was he going to kiss her? Every thought seized.
But fate was not that kind. He gently released her and waited, as if at any moment she would crumble into a sleeping heap at his feet. If she did fall, it would be because her knees could hardly keep her standing so near to him.
“I’m awake. I promise.”
His face turned sheepish, and he stepped back.
“What are you doing out here at this time of night?” She pinched her robe shut at the nape of her neck, wondering at the odds of seeing him twice in her undressed state.
“I meant to leave this on your doorstep for you.” He fetched the crate and held it out for her to take. She let go of her robe to accept it. The crate fit comfortably in the space of her arms and was not very heavy. Her eyes barely made out the contents, but she searched through them anyway.
“Paints? Brushes? Wait, is that a canvas? Did your brother send these over?”
He ran his hand through his hair, his hat nowhere in sight. “No, I collected them myself in town. If they are the wrong things, I can exchange them. I do not pretend to have any knowledge on the subject, though the shop owners assured me these were the best they had.”
“This is too much.”
“I thought you might continue your practice until my brother is able to proceed with your lessons.”
He hadn’t kissed her, but even if this was simply an act of friendship, it meant a great deal. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Mr. Taylor.”
“Marcus is sufficient.” The sudden amusement in his eyes told her he had not missed her slip of the tongue.
Tansy tucked her chin down. “I heard your brother say your given name. I apologize for blurting it without your permission.”
“Don’t be. We are friends, after all.”
His teasing lilt made her smile grow. “Yes, we are.”
He raised his brow. “Does that mean I have permission to informally address you as Tansy?”
She lowered her gaze again, suddenly nervous. “I suppose.”
His chuckle warmed her. “When it is just the two of us, I will call you Tansy, but it is probably better not to do so around the others. Mrs. Palmer would likely take the rake to me.” He glanced back at the road and then to her. “Before I go, might I ask whyyouare out so late at night? I don’t think there is a chance of a storm, but still I cannot help but be concerned after what happened last time.”
“I promise I had no intention of breaking into your house again. I couldn’t sleep and merely needed some fresh air.”
He put his hands behind his back, his posture relaxing. “Does that happen often?”
“More often than I would like. I find a little stargazing relaxes me and puts things into perspective.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “You too?” He gazed upward at the carpet of gleaming stars. “I can’t get enough of them myself. My brother loves a good sunrise, but I confess I have seen far more starry nights than sunrises. Usually, I finally fall asleep just before the sun greets the day.”
“I did not realize there was someone else like me.” Tansy hugged the crate to her. “I cannot resist a night’s sky. Of all of God’s creations, this is my favorite.”
